‘Policing the Future’ is Piloted in Oundle

Oundle is currently taking part in a new ‘policing the future’ pilot alongside the Kettering All Saints area. Since September, this intensive study has been set up to reduce crime as well as improve the quality of life of the members of the community.

An aim for a greater interaction with the community, including volunteers and local councils, will allow the police to act according to concerns of the area.

Chief constable Adrian Lee said: ‘We can’t do that on our own, we have to do that with partners; we have to do that with communities.

‘We’re going to knock on doors and talk to people to ask them what their concerns are, what they want from the police and how the police, working with councils and volunteers, can make a better service and how they can contribute.’

This increased involvement in the community will possibly form the future of policing if the pilot succeeds, allowing the community to voice their worries so the police can act on them.

Chief Constable Adrian Lee said: ‘We want to show people what the future will look like now. So in one urban area of the county and one rural area we’re going to bring forward all our plans for transformation.’

Oundle is the targeted rural area in which they are carrying out this scheme.

Extensive work will also be carried out to tackle problems such as alcohol misuse and road safety issues and Parish Constables will be introduced in some areas to work directly with the communities they live in.

Mr Lee said: ‘There will be a lot of changes happening at once. For example, increased numbers of Specials, volunteers and cadets – that will happen now.

‘This is a real opportunity to show that by policing differently we can really make our part of the country safer.’

The Futures Programme is led by County Commander, Superintendent Andy Cox and is also backed by the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Adam Simmonds.

‘We know to be fit for the purpose of the 21st century we need to do things very differently,’ said Simmonds.

The coming months will see an increased police presence in the two pilot areas as a variety of high-profile operations are carried out to tackle issues such as shoplifting, car crime and street drinking.
Work will also be carried out to improve relationships between young people and the police and look into the creation of community hubs where people could call in to see a police officer.